Re: [PyrNet-L] BEHAVOIR: 3 Sticky Wickets

[judith diamond <pyrenees@gwi.net>]

> . She frequently turns to
> > me for entertainment. For the first time I feel inadequate as a
> Pyrenees
> > parent. I do not know  what else I can do for her.  I'm willing to
> do
> > whatever it takes, within some time constraints. It kinda' feels
> like
> > being a dumb parent to a genius child. I suppose. LOL.  Please
> > help?
>
> Sign yourselves up for an agility class.  The obedience lessons you've
>
> taken should also complement the training necessary for agility.    Or
>
> you can set up some equipment in the back yard after reading an
> agility
> book.

David, what a concept. I never thought of having my own agility course.
Not really. Of course, this will entail shopping for equipment. As Linda
said, Lexi may have her PhD in Education and manipulation.  But,  when
it comes to liquidating my asset's or anyone else's, I am the brains of
the family.  . Of course, Lee, my husband has never truly appreciated
this aspect of my intelligence. <BG>  David, Lexi is still only 13
months old. Should I impose some constraints for her agility training?
If so, what?  I have heard here on the list, that pyrs under two years
old could injure themselves by doing certain aspects of agility too
soon. I did actually take Lexi to only one puppy agility class when she
was 5 months old. Then somehow, I got the misguided idea that she
should'nt be doing it for health reason's. So. we dropped out.  Lexi was
a natural though. You are right on the money to suggest this. During
that one class, Lexi was a star! She did everything with hardly any
hesitation. She was completly fearless. ( And still is.) <g> When she
hesitated at all it was just to take stock of the situation and of what
was expected of her. It was a bit embarrassing for me because she did
much, much better than all the other puppies at everything. We had a
very hard- ----ed instructor. She was* very* into tough, tough love. She
tried to keep a poker face. But, Lexi made her smile. She was impressed
and Lexi and I knew it. <BG> Lexi made me very proud that day, as usual.

>
>
>                               Sticky wicket # 2: . He actually, seems
> to
> > cower, when the hand  is offering food.
>
> I wouldn't know what to suggest unless I saw him.

I wish that you could.

>  Did you ask the
> obedience instructor about this?  If so, what did he/she say could be
> the
> problem?

The obedience instructor is a female, named Mary. Since 1983, I and all
my pyrs have taken classes with her. However, she is not up to currant
speed with Jonah. It is Lexi and I that are presently in obedience.
Mary, being a 'dogaholic', with a type A personality can be very hard to
reach. So, I haven't yet tried. Besides, there could'nt be better advise
in the world, than  here on our list Right? <g>

>
>
> Sticky wicket # 3:
>  When Jonah & Lexi are outside and decide
> > that it's time to go in they throw their weight onto the sliders to
> get
> > Mommy's attention.
>
> That's interesting, Judith.  Summer has the opposite "problem".  She
> loves
> going out in the yard and wouldn't mind being out there all day.



>  I am, by choice,  at home frequently with them. It is only normal, I
> think, that they are very attached to me.   Not overly so. I have
> traveled a lot this last year alone. (3 weeks or so, without them or
> Lee).  When they were in Lee's charge, they did very well without me.
> I was relieved the first time that I went away, because I was worried
> that they would be Mommy sick.   Maybe they were just sick of Mommy!
> <VBG> Lee did report to me though, that after a few day's, Jonah was
> showing signs of being blue. " Thank heaven for little girls" and
> answer machines. By calling into to the machine, I was able to leave
> messages and sing each of their special songs to them. I understand
> from my husband, that one time he was in the house when I called.
> Rather than immediatly picking up the telephone,he  let the machine
> play on for their song's. Well, apparently, he witnessed Jonah howling
> with me while I was 'howling'. Lexi, merely did one of her little
> rythmatic dances to the tune.<G> No, seriously, Jonah did howl, for
> whatever that's worth.

>
>
>   You might
> consider using another door made of wood or metal.

The only other access door is not a slider but it is mostly made of
glass also.

>  If you used that door
> instead, they would grow accustomed to leaving and entering through
> that
> doorway.  And best of all, the door won't get damaged should they
> continue
> pushing against it.

With our house this is impossible. I designed it and built it with Lee.
With blood, guts, sweat and tears. Plenty of tears. Especially when the
water froze in our trailer during the winter when we were building.
<VBG> You may rest assured that since I designed it, I could not have
kept the floor plan's simple. <g> Let's see. I'll try to explain. The
house from an airel view looks like a letter Y on one end., with a
capital letter I at the other end. The slider's are all over the Y part,
surrounded by a wrap around deck. The babies can virtually see me from
anywhere on the first floor, unless I draw the draperies, which I have
done. The mush balls entrance and exit to the fenced in yard is really
only accessed by the glass door's. With the exception of one door which
doesn't help. Because it is also, part of their protected turf. Besides,
they will always choose to get my attention from wher they can see me.
My den. I am not willing to fence off our view just for them <G>

>
>
> Good luck.
>
> David
> Thanks, I do need it.   Judith            PS. I have forever wanted to
> tell you that I adore your Deepak Chopra quote. I believe it
> thoroughly.  That is one of the reason's that I waited so long to
> achieve my life long dream of being a Pyrenees Mom.
> "All relationships are a mirror of the relationship you have with
> yourself." - Deepak Chopra